“How Badly Do You Want It?” - 1/8/25

 

After Ruth made her vow to Naomi to go to Bethlehem, promising that nothing short of death could keep them apart (Ruth 1:16-17), Scripture says, “When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her” (v. 18). What assurance did Naomi have that once Ruth made the vow “to go with her” that she would follow through? How could Naomi be assured that Ruth was going with her and these were not empty words like the words of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:3-4?

 

I suggest that Naomi could trust Ruth’s words because of what she had done in the past. She had known Ruth for a decade (Ruth 1:4). Naomi saw Ruth’s attitude, mindset, how she treated her son Mahlon, and the work ethic of the Moabite in those years. That made all the difference. Ruth could be trusted because she did what she said she would do. Thus, it is no surprise that both soon entered the city together (v. 19).

 

The same is true today. People claim they want strong faith. They claim they want a strong prayer life. Some will speak of their desire for the focus of Paul (Phil. 3:13-14), the faith of Abraham (Heb. 11), the tenacity of Elijah (I Kings 18), etc. Yet, they are still clamoring years later with little or no change in their lives. Why do they not have what they desire? Could it be they are only speaking about a desire and not acting?

 

James told the scattered Christians, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works…. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (Jas. 2:18, 20). He would later say, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jas. 2:26). Listen to the words long written down! James is teaching us that we will act if we want it bad enough! Ruth wanted to go to Bethlehem with Naomi so badly that she begged and vowed to go (Ruth 1:10, 14, 16-17). Then, Ruth did “the thing” (v. 19)!

 

In many areas of life, the difference between success and failure is simply the action! Folks can talk about things all day long, but nothing ever gets accomplished by merely talking. The prodigal son told himself, “How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants” (Lk. 15:17-19). How many days did the prodigal say this to himself? We do not know. The point is that saying this to himself meant nothing until he actually “arose and came to his father” (Lk. 15:20)!

 

Ruth’s words meant nothing if she were not the kind of person to follow through! The things we promise the Lord (or ourselves) mean nothing until we act on them (Ecc. 9:10; Rev. 22:14; Heb. 5:8-9; Col. 3:23). Solomon reminds us, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Prov. 20:11)!

 

Friend, how badly do you want to be a Christian (Mk. 16:16)? Stop talking about it and act (II Cor. 6:2)! Christian, how badly do you want to grow your faith? Stop talking about it and do as James said (Jas. 2:18-26)! Christian, how badly do you want to improve your prayer life? Stop wishing and wear out the knees in prayer (I Thess. 5:17)! Our Lord said that the only difference between the wise and foolish builders was one took action, and one did not (Matt. 7:24-27). Get the point?

 

Will Christ consider you wise or a fool?  Do as Ruth and act on what you know is right (Jas. 4:17)!

 

- Jarrod M. Jacobs